These indexes are for records that cover the years from 1906 to about 1966.

== Record Description ==

== Record Description ==

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These collections are card indexes to naturalization records in the circuit and district courts of New York. The cards are arranged alphabetically by surname.

+

These collections are card indexes to naturalization records in the circuit and district courts of New York. The cards are arranged alphabetically by surname. They include records for the years 1906 to 1966.

−

The actual naturalization volumes are on printed forms and are often typewritten

+

== Record Content ==

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While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.

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=== Record Content ===

The cards include the following:

The cards include the following:

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*Name of immigrant

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*Age

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*Birth date

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*Date and place Certificate of Admission was issued

*Petition number

*Petition number

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*Date of petition

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*Spouse's name (sometimes)

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*Volume and page number of the petition

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Some of the cards also show:

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== How to Use the Record ==

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*Declaration number

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To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:

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*Date of declaration

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*Volume and page number of the declaration

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*Certification number

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*Date of issuance

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Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petitions usually included the following:

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*The full name of your ancestor

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*The approximate immigration and naturalization dates

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*The ancestor’s residence

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*Name of the immigrant

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If you do not know this information, check the 1910 census and then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.

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*Country of birth

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*Arrival date

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*Date of Declaration of Intent or Naturalization

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*Names of witnesses

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*Signature of judge or court official

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You may also find:

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*Birth date

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*Birthplace

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*Age

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*Race

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*Last foreign residence

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*Current residence

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*Arrival place

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*Marital status

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*Name of spouse

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*Maiden name of wife

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*Birth date of spouse

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*Residence of spouse

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== How to Use the Record ==

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Begin your search by finding your ancestors in the card index. Name indexes make it possible to access a specific record quickly. Check the index for the surname and then the given name. You may need to look at many cards to find the one you are seeking. Remember that these indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

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==== Search the Collection ====

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When searching the index it is helpful to know the following:

+

To search the collection fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at the information on several individuals comparing the information about them to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:

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*The full name of your ancestor.

+

*There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.

−

*The approximate immigration and naturalization dates.

+

*You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.

−

*The ancestor’s residence.

+

*Your ancestor may have used different names, or variations of their name, throughout their life.

+

*If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names.

+

*Even though these indexes are very accurate they may still contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

−

If you do not know this information, check the 1910 census and then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.

+

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at [http://broadcast.lds.org/familysearch/2011-12-03-familysearch-search-tips-1000k-eng.mp4 FamilySearch Search Tips].

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Use the locator information found in the index (such as name of court, page, entry, or certificate number) to locate your ancestors in the records. Compare the information in the record to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct person. You may need to compare the information of more than one person to make this determination.

+

==== Using the Information ====

−

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example:

+

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example, you can use naturalization records to:

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−

Use naturalization records to:

*Learn an immigrant’s place of origin

*Learn an immigrant’s place of origin

Line 76:

Line 48:

*Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests.

*Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests.

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You may also find these tips helpful:

+

==== Tips to Keep in Mind ====

*Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts.

*Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts.

Line 85:

Line 57:

*You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors.

*You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors.

−

If you do not find the name you are looking for, try the following:

+

==== Unable to Find Your Ancestor? ====

*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.

*Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.

Line 91:

Line 63:

*Search the indexes of nearby counties.

*Search the indexes of nearby counties.

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== Record History ==

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==== General Information About These Records ====

+

+

The actual naturalization volumes are on printed forms and are often typewritten

+

+

While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.

The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

−

Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

+

Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.&nbsp;

+

+

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).&nbsp; Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.

−

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

+

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. New York’s counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship. The courts handling naturalizations changed several times so the card index was created as a way to quickly access specific records.

−

Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.

+

The index is very accurate and the information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

−

=== Why this Record Was Created ===

+

==== Search the Collection ====

−

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. New York’s counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship. The courts handling naturalizations changed several times so the card index was created as a way to quickly access specific records.

+

Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:

−

=== Record Reliability ===

+

*There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.

+

*You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.

+

*Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

−

The index is very accurate and the information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

+

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at [http://broadcast.lds.org/familysearch/2011-12-03-familysearch-search-tips-1000k-eng.mp4 FamilySearch Search Tips].<br>

<!—bibdescbegin-->''Index to Petitions and Records of Naturalizations of the U.S. and District Courts for the District of Massachusetts, 1906-1966''. NARA microfilm publication M1545, 115 rolls.&nbsp;National Archives, Washington, D.C.<!—bibdescend-->

== Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections ==

== Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections ==

−

When you copy information from a record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

+

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

−

The suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched in found in the Wiki Article: [[How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections|How to Create Source Citations for FamilySearch Historical Records Collections]]

The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.<br>

−

<br><br>

+

{{Collection citation | text= "Massachusetts Naturalization Index, 1906-1966." Index. <i>FamilySearch</i>. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2013. Citing "Index to Petitions and Records of Naturalizations of the U.S. and District Courts for the District of Massachusetts, 1907-1966." <i>Fold3.com</i>. http://www.fold3.com : n.d.}}

Record Description

These collections are card indexes to naturalization records in the circuit and district courts of New York. The cards are arranged alphabetically by surname. They include records for the years 1906 to 1966.

Record Content

The cards include the following:

Name of immigrant

Age

Birth date

Date and place Certificate of Admission was issued

Petition number

Spouse's name (sometimes)

How to Use the Record

To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:

The full name of your ancestor

The approximate immigration and naturalization dates

The ancestor’s residence

If you do not know this information, check the 1910 census and then calculate the possible year of naturalization based on the date of immigration. The 1920 census may tell you the exact year of immigration or naturalization.

Search the Collection

To search the collection fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at the information on several individuals comparing the information about them to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:

There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.

You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.

Your ancestor may have used different names, or variations of their name, throughout their life.

If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names.

Even though these indexes are very accurate they may still contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

Using the Information

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. For example, you can use naturalization records to:

Learn an immigrant’s place of origin

Confirm their date of arrival

Learn foreign and “Americanized” names

Find records in his or her country of origin such as emigrations, port records, or ship’s manifests.

Tips to Keep in Mind

Look for the Declaration of Intent soon after the immigrant arrived, and then look for the Naturalization Petition five years later, when the residency requirement would have been met. Look for naturalization records in federal courts and then in state, county, or city courts.

An individual may have filed the first and final papers in different courts and sometimes in a different state if the person moved. Immigrants who were younger than 18 when they arrived did not need to file a Declaration of Intent as part of the process.

If your ancestor had a common name, be sure to look at all the entries for a name before you decide which is correct.

Continue to search the naturalization records to identify siblings, parents, and other relatives in the same or other generations who may have naturalized in the same area or nearby.

The witnesses named on naturalization records may have been older relatives of the person in the naturalization process. Search for their naturalizations.

You may want to obtain the naturalization records of every person who shares your ancestor’s surname if they lived in the same county or nearby. You may not know how or if they are related, but the information could lead you to more information about your own ancestors.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

Check for variant spellings. Realize that the indexes may contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings and misinterpretations.

Try a different index if there is one for the years needed. You may also need to search the naturalization records year by year.

Search the indexes of nearby counties.

General Information About These Records

The actual naturalization volumes are on printed forms and are often typewritten

While there were various types of naturalization records, the Declaration of Intent and Naturalization Petition usually had the most complete genealogical information.

The first naturalization act was passed in 1802. Immigrants to the United States were not required to apply for citizenship. Of those who did apply, many did not complete the requirements for citizenship.

Naturalization to become a U.S. citizen was a two-part process: the Declaration of Intent to Naturalize, or First Papers, and the Naturalization Record (including the Naturalization Petition), or Final Papers. The First Papers were normally filed five years before the Final Papers because of the five-year residency requirement to become a citizen.

No centralized files existed before 1906. In 1906 federal forms replaced the various formats that had been used by the various courts. Copies were sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), creating a central file for naturalization papers. The INS is now known as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Naturalization records are generally well preserved, but some records may have been lost to fire or other disasters.

Naturalization is the process of granting citizenship privileges and responsibilities to foreign-born residents. New York’s counties recorded naturalization procedures in the court records as legal proof of citizenship. The courts handling naturalizations changed several times so the card index was created as a way to quickly access specific records.

The index is very accurate and the information that was current at the time of naturalization was usually reliable. However, there was always a chance for misinformation. Errors may have occurred because of the informant’s lack of knowledge or because of transcription errors or other circumstances.

Search the Collection

Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:

There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.

You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.

Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Related Websites

Related Wiki Articles

Contributions to This Article

We welcome user additions to FamilySearch Historical Records wiki articles. We are looking for additional information that will help readers understand the topic and better use the available records. We also need translations for collection titles and images in articles about records written in languages other than English. For specific needs, please visit WikiProject FamilySearch Records.

Please follow these guidelines as you make changes. Thank you for any contributions you may provide.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

Citation for This Collection

The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

"Massachusetts Naturalization Index, 1906-1966." Index. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2013. Citing "Index to Petitions and Records of Naturalizations of the U.S. and District Courts for the District of Massachusetts, 1907-1966." Fold3.com. http://www.fold3.com : n.d.